Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May 4 Letter
First of all, can I just express to everyone how grateful I am, for everything. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here. I'm grateful for the scriptures and the inspired words in them. I'm grateful for this earth and everything that's on it. It is so beautiful and good. I'm grateful for the sun which graciously shines its rays upon this earth everyday and gives life to everything on it. The oribits of the planets, the contents of our atmosphere: It's just amazing to me how perfectly everything has been organized and designed. I'm grateful for my family which has supported and loved me since I was born. I'm grateful for all the friends, teachers, and other influential people in my life that have helped me become who I am today. I'm grateful for sufficient food to keep my body running well. I'm grateful for clean, running water whenever I want it. I'm grateful to have a roof over my head and a bed to sleep on at night. I'm grateful just to be alive. I'm grateful for the love God has shown me by giving me all these things and by gently leading me along the path He wold have me walk, the path He knows will give me the most joy and lead me to realize my full potential as a child of God. Just had to get that out there.
And, semirelated, if whoever reads this is wondering if God really cares about him or her I would recommend to that person to pray to God. But when you pray, just express gratitude for anything and everything you can think of that you consider yourself fortunate to have. Don't ask for anything. Then, you will begin to realize the depth and breadth of God's love and concern fo you. I know from personal experience, not just here at the MTC, that oftentimes these types of prayers can be the most comforting, powerful and spiritually uplifting prayers of all.
Anyway, thanks for the addresses, Mom. Although, if you talked to Stephanie to get Jonathan's address you should have gotten hers too. Haha. Oh well, if you could get it sometime that would be nice.
Elder Cousino is back to normal now. I don't know what happened. he just stopped taking all the medication, and he was pretty much fine again. Thank you for your prayers.
Awesome that the Magic are doing good. Let me know what happens.
Ya, the weather in Utah is so wierd. So, you know how those most recent pictures looked like Spring have finally taken over? Well, on May 1, it randomly started pouring down snow again. And now, it's warm and sunny again. I don't get it.
If everything works out like its supposed to, I should be leaving May 17. Only two more weeks! I can't believe it. I might get stuck here a little longer though, because of recent Visa troubles with missionaries going to Mexico.
Tell Marc good job at the race!
Love, Brett
And, semirelated, if whoever reads this is wondering if God really cares about him or her I would recommend to that person to pray to God. But when you pray, just express gratitude for anything and everything you can think of that you consider yourself fortunate to have. Don't ask for anything. Then, you will begin to realize the depth and breadth of God's love and concern fo you. I know from personal experience, not just here at the MTC, that oftentimes these types of prayers can be the most comforting, powerful and spiritually uplifting prayers of all.
Anyway, thanks for the addresses, Mom. Although, if you talked to Stephanie to get Jonathan's address you should have gotten hers too. Haha. Oh well, if you could get it sometime that would be nice.
Elder Cousino is back to normal now. I don't know what happened. he just stopped taking all the medication, and he was pretty much fine again. Thank you for your prayers.
Awesome that the Magic are doing good. Let me know what happens.
Ya, the weather in Utah is so wierd. So, you know how those most recent pictures looked like Spring have finally taken over? Well, on May 1, it randomly started pouring down snow again. And now, it's warm and sunny again. I don't get it.
If everything works out like its supposed to, I should be leaving May 17. Only two more weeks! I can't believe it. I might get stuck here a little longer though, because of recent Visa troubles with missionaries going to Mexico.
Tell Marc good job at the race!
Love, Brett
April 27 Letter
I probably can send more photos soon. I can order prints anytime I want at the bookstore straight from my memory card.
I guess you could send me a phone card to call in the airport. Or I could just call you collect and then tell you the number of the payphone and then quickly hang up and have you call back. It's probably safer to have a calling card just in case. Less than three weeks now before I leave. I can't believe how the time has flown by.
My spanish is coming along fine. I don't really feel like my spanish-speaking abilities have improved that much since I've been here, although I'm definitely more confident and actually willing to speak it now. I know way more than any of the other gringos in my district. My teacher often asks me about spanish grammar principles or how to say a certain word in english. It's funny. Not to brag or anything.:-)
Had another great devotional last week from Kevin W. Andersen of the Seventy.
One of the Elders in my district, Elder Cousino, has been really sick for the past couple of weeks almost. He's been having sharp chest pains, feeling dizzy and throwing up a lot, and no doctor can figure out what's wrong with him. He's already been to the hospital twice. Any prayers for him are greatly appreciated.
Sory my email is so short this week. I don't know where the time goes.
Love all you guys
I guess you could send me a phone card to call in the airport. Or I could just call you collect and then tell you the number of the payphone and then quickly hang up and have you call back. It's probably safer to have a calling card just in case. Less than three weeks now before I leave. I can't believe how the time has flown by.
My spanish is coming along fine. I don't really feel like my spanish-speaking abilities have improved that much since I've been here, although I'm definitely more confident and actually willing to speak it now. I know way more than any of the other gringos in my district. My teacher often asks me about spanish grammar principles or how to say a certain word in english. It's funny. Not to brag or anything.:-)
Had another great devotional last week from Kevin W. Andersen of the Seventy.
One of the Elders in my district, Elder Cousino, has been really sick for the past couple of weeks almost. He's been having sharp chest pains, feeling dizzy and throwing up a lot, and no doctor can figure out what's wrong with him. He's already been to the hospital twice. Any prayers for him are greatly appreciated.
Sory my email is so short this week. I don't know where the time goes.
Love all you guys
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
April 20 Letter
Hey,
I did get the exercise equipment. Thanks. I've already been using it a lot because they just recently closed the gym temporarily for repairs, and it won't be open again until after I'm gone. So, it was like perfect timing. I don't how I'm going to get it to Mexico, though. It's too heavy to pack. I'll probably have to ship it or something.
Elder Glenn L. pace gave an amazing talk at last week's devotional. I really felt like it was at least a partial answer to my prayers. It was so personal and sacred that he actually requested the MTC not record it. It was about the love of God, nothing I haven't heard about before, but he spoke so sincerely and shared some very personal experiences. I'm still not feeling super comfortable with sharing the Gospel with everybody, but I think I'm getting closer. It's hard for me to deny the feelings and experiences I've had.
Learning the language and the doctrine has been the least difficult part, by far, of this whole MTC experience. The emotional and spiritual things have been far more challenging. I just keep pressing forward with as much faith as I can. I have learned so much here at the MTC.
I just sent you guys some pictures today. So, you should get them by Friday or next Monday. I think it takes about 5 business days for regular mail. I feel like I never have much time to write very much to you guys. If you want me to write a more detailed letter, let me know.
Oh, actually, mom, I can't call on Mother's Day. They don't let you do that while you're in the MTC because there are just too many missionaries. I'll get to call you like a week later though, from the airport.
Tell me more what's going on with the family. How was Jamaica? Is Sean excited for FSU? How is everyone doing in school? What sports is everybody playing? What are you guys planning on doing this summer?
P.S. Tell Dad he better not mess up the Honda before I get back. I want to drive it so bad!
Love you all,
Elder Graham
I did get the exercise equipment. Thanks. I've already been using it a lot because they just recently closed the gym temporarily for repairs, and it won't be open again until after I'm gone. So, it was like perfect timing. I don't how I'm going to get it to Mexico, though. It's too heavy to pack. I'll probably have to ship it or something.
Elder Glenn L. pace gave an amazing talk at last week's devotional. I really felt like it was at least a partial answer to my prayers. It was so personal and sacred that he actually requested the MTC not record it. It was about the love of God, nothing I haven't heard about before, but he spoke so sincerely and shared some very personal experiences. I'm still not feeling super comfortable with sharing the Gospel with everybody, but I think I'm getting closer. It's hard for me to deny the feelings and experiences I've had.
Learning the language and the doctrine has been the least difficult part, by far, of this whole MTC experience. The emotional and spiritual things have been far more challenging. I just keep pressing forward with as much faith as I can. I have learned so much here at the MTC.
I just sent you guys some pictures today. So, you should get them by Friday or next Monday. I think it takes about 5 business days for regular mail. I feel like I never have much time to write very much to you guys. If you want me to write a more detailed letter, let me know.
Oh, actually, mom, I can't call on Mother's Day. They don't let you do that while you're in the MTC because there are just too many missionaries. I'll get to call you like a week later though, from the airport.
Tell me more what's going on with the family. How was Jamaica? Is Sean excited for FSU? How is everyone doing in school? What sports is everybody playing? What are you guys planning on doing this summer?
P.S. Tell Dad he better not mess up the Honda before I get back. I want to drive it so bad!
Love you all,
Elder Graham
April 13 Letter
I couldn't believe you called the MTC. Haha. I've been gone for like three weeks, and I didn't write to you one week. That's ok. At least I know my mommy loves me. Im actually feeling much better now, although still trying to figure some things out. Thanks for recommending D&C 6. Those verses, 22 and 23 are some of my favorite scriptures.
My new companion, Elder Garcia, is great. He's also my district leader. Well, at least until Friday, I think. Im getting to know him a lot better now that we're companions, and he's really cool. He's just a down to earth, cool guy, and he's always so full of energy. It's hard not to laugh and be in a good mood around him. It's amazing how close you can get to someone when you spend every minute of every day with him. I miss my friend from Mexico (Elder Banuelos), though. He already left and is serving in California. He told me I have to come to Mexico with him after our missions. He's hillarious. I miss my old companion too, but hey I'm going to have lots of companions. I'm glad the ones I have had so far have been good.
Everyone who's served a mission and has written to me seems surprised that we can't ever leave the MTC anymore, but I guess its not that big a deal to me just because I never had the opportunity to. We actually can walk around the temple on Sundays if we want. I am starting to feel a little isolated, but its not too bad. I've got pretty much everything I need here. The days are long and pass slowly as we pretty much sit around studying all day, but the weeks fly by. I can't believe I'm into my fourth week, or fifth Hmm... Im not even sure. See what I mean?
Please apologize for me to anyone that has written to me and hasn't received a letter back from me yet. P-days seem to just fly by so fast.
I did get your beef jerkey and your cookies and your easter goodies. I wish I was hungrier, and the MTC didn't stuff me so much. I actually gave a whole bag of beef jerky to my old companion that he took with him to Peru because he liked it so much. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for all the yummies.
Shoot! They really don't give us enough email time. Can you plese have Marc write something to me. I really want to talk to him, but I'm not sure what to ask him about. Just tell him I miss him so much, and I think about him every day.
Love, Brett
My new companion, Elder Garcia, is great. He's also my district leader. Well, at least until Friday, I think. Im getting to know him a lot better now that we're companions, and he's really cool. He's just a down to earth, cool guy, and he's always so full of energy. It's hard not to laugh and be in a good mood around him. It's amazing how close you can get to someone when you spend every minute of every day with him. I miss my friend from Mexico (Elder Banuelos), though. He already left and is serving in California. He told me I have to come to Mexico with him after our missions. He's hillarious. I miss my old companion too, but hey I'm going to have lots of companions. I'm glad the ones I have had so far have been good.
Everyone who's served a mission and has written to me seems surprised that we can't ever leave the MTC anymore, but I guess its not that big a deal to me just because I never had the opportunity to. We actually can walk around the temple on Sundays if we want. I am starting to feel a little isolated, but its not too bad. I've got pretty much everything I need here. The days are long and pass slowly as we pretty much sit around studying all day, but the weeks fly by. I can't believe I'm into my fourth week, or fifth Hmm... Im not even sure. See what I mean?
Please apologize for me to anyone that has written to me and hasn't received a letter back from me yet. P-days seem to just fly by so fast.
I did get your beef jerkey and your cookies and your easter goodies. I wish I was hungrier, and the MTC didn't stuff me so much. I actually gave a whole bag of beef jerky to my old companion that he took with him to Peru because he liked it so much. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for all the yummies.
Shoot! They really don't give us enough email time. Can you plese have Marc write something to me. I really want to talk to him, but I'm not sure what to ask him about. Just tell him I miss him so much, and I think about him every day.
Love, Brett
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Brett's 2nd Letter, April 6
Sorry for not writing to you last week. In all honesty, I've just had a lot of things on my mind lately.I still dont feel ready to go out and preach the gospel. Good thing I am in here for another 5 or 6 weeks. Everything else is going great though. I love my companion and my district. We have way more fun together than I would have expected. I'll try to send some pictures home within the next couple weeks. My companion is leaving tomorrow for the MTC in Lima, Peru, which really stinks becasue he's so much fun and we teach really well together. Plus, noone else speaks Spanish as well as him in the district, and all the native Spanish speakers that were only here for three weeks are leaving too. So, I"m not going to be able to practice as well. They definitely keep you busy here at the MTC, and they feed you so much! I definitely see how a lot of missionaries gain weight while there at the MTC. Tell Kenny to not worry though, I work out almost everyday with one of my roomates. He's really into fitness and health. But speaking of staying in shape, I would really like it if you could send me one of the resistance band things with the handles on the ends and my pull up bar (I forgot it at home). Everyone tells me Puebla is nice. One of my friends, Elder Banuelos, is from Mexico and he says he loves Puebla. I"m not sure I"ll get to go there as soon as scheduled (May 10) though because they've been having a lot of problems lately getting Visas for Mexico. All the Elders assigned to Mexican missions in my branch that were only here for threee weeks and are leaving tomorrow are all going to different places in Utah for now because they haven't gotten their Mexican Visas yet. My time's almost up. Se y later!
Love, Brett
Love, Brett
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